I'm proud and happy to report that this is my 200th column for Oklahoma Magazine. Since it seems to me a fact I should acknowledge, I’ve been wondering what I could write about to make this month’s piece a little, well, special.  Then, on March 2, I did a live broadcast of my radio show, Swing on This, with Bob...
If variety is the spice of life, then the life of spice is in the captivating Caribbean island country of Grenada. Tiny but mighty, it’s the second largest producer of nutmeg behind Indonesia. Mace, cloves, cinnamon and ginger are Grenada’s other major exports. The island is adorned with bushy evergreen trees of cinnamon, where the spice actually comes from...

Some Sound Advice

Being able to hear – and hear well – is something many of us take for granted.  Jacob Burdett, D.O., an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist with Saint Francis Health System, says hearing loss isn’t exactly inevitable with age, but it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.  “Unfortunately in life, we are exposed to noise pollution,” he says....
Hordes of visitors flocked to Durant in early April in hopes of experiencing a total solar eclipse. But now that the much-heralded celestial event has passed, this city near Oklahoma’s southern border is settling in for another busy tourist season. Durant, the seat of Bryan County, has plenty to offer. Situated some 160 miles south of Tulsa and 150 miles...

Scene

Stacey & Steve Wyett; Brainiac Ball, Family and Children’s Services, Tulsa Mayor GT Bynum, Susan Bynum, Rachel Canuso Holt, Mayor David Holt; Carnivale, Mental Health Association of Oklahoma, Tulsa Sarah & Tim Gould; Icons and Idols, Tulsa Ballet Ellyn Hefner, Jan Peery; Legislative reception, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, OKC Katie & Mickey Miller, Ryan & Carla Fleming; Sapphire Celebration: Art Comes to Life, Riverfield Country Day School, Tulsa Callie Bonds,...
In a world where information is at our fingertips and virtual meetings are the norm, it is vital to have a grasp on general etiquette – and just how we present ourselves to the world on a day-to-day basis. “The internet can be an excellent resource for etiquette information,” says Carey Sue Vega of Expeditions in Etiquette based in Oklahoma...

Hot Off the Grill

The Many Styles of Barbecue  America is home to a myriad of regional barbecue styles including what many call the big four: Kansas City, Memphis, the Carolinas and Texas. Kansas City style is known for its slow-smoked, sweet-seasoned rubs on meats, often cooked with a brown-sugar based sauce with the heat kept low to avoid caramelizing. Burnt ends are the favored...
Forming a Community: The Resources Created to address women-owned business challenges, OKC Women in Business is a “community dedicated to empowering women in the OKC metro area to thrive in their business endeavors through collaboration, networking and education,” says the group’s founder and CEO, Meagan Veoukas. “The online directory on our website – okcwomeninbusiness.com – is a convenient place for...
Common Health Issues for Women Things like osteoporosis, breast cancer, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and urinary tract infections are well known diseases, infections and illnesses that most know about when speaking on common health issues for women. But others, including uterine fibroids and primary ovarian sufficiency, are more prevalent than people may expect. We dive into symptoms, side effects and...
When it comes to getting your financial house in order, there are many aspects to consider. Budgeting and taxes come to mind, as well as topics such as insurance, savings and spending. But one subject should top the list of important financial considerations: investing for your future. Truths vs. Myths: Investing  When it comes to investing, many people get confused or...